Access Policy

a. Public Records
These are documents created by government departments and statutory boards. Legislation (National Heritage Board Act 1993) requires that public records of national or historical significance be transferred to NAS.

Unclassified public archives may be open for consultation after twenty-five years with agreement from the respective creating/transferring agency. This is in accordance with Section 22(2a) of the National Heritage Board Act (1993) which states that access to public archives is subjected to "any conditions or restrictions imposed by the office, officer or person from whom the public archives or recordings were acquired". As the official custodian of public records, the National Archives of Singapore plays the dual role of protecting the integrity of archival records in our custody through preservation and providing access to public archives subject to privacy and the framework of existing legislations.

Access to classified public archives may be longer than twenty-five years as the classified records will need to be downgraded before public release under the existing conditions.

b. Private Records
These records are loaned or donated to NAS from private individuals and organisations.

Access Conditions

a. Open Access
Most public records are open after 25 years from date of file closure. Access to private records is subject to the restrictions imposed by donors.

b. Restricted Access
~ Prior written permission from the creating agency must be sought before researchers can reproduce, publish and broadcast the material.
~ Some records have restricted access, based on either conditions imposed by the source or due to the content of the records. For example:

• National security and defence
• Personnel records
• Information disclosure which would endanger the life or physical safety of a person
• Law enforcement records
• Legal documents of other persons and/or organisations

~ These may continue to be closed to public access until a later date.
~ To respect donors’ privacy, access may be granted only with written permission from the source.
~ Records in poor condition and require proper conservation and preservation treatment may not be made available to researchers.

Note:
~ All photographs, slides and audio-visual material may be viewed regardless of access classification, but those classified as Restricted Access require permission for reproduction, publication and broadcast use.
~ All other material with Open Access may be viewed and printed.